Hadith Explanation

Visit Cemeteries

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “I had forbidden you to visit graveyards. But now if you wish you may go to cemeteries, for the sight of graves makes one remember the life hereafter.” [Muslim]

In the early days of Islam, when people were still very close to Jahilliya, only recently having forsaken its beliefs and practices, they were forbidden from visiting graves for fear that they might revert to their ignorant practices of Shirk with respect to graves. But once Eeman was firmly rooted in their hearts they were instructed to visit graves to motivate themselves to prepare better for the Hereafter.

“Once Ali (radi Allahu anhu) visited a graveyard with Kameel (radi Allahu anhu) accompanying him. On reaching the graveyard, Ali (radi Allahu anhu) looked at the graves and then addressing the inmates of the graves said: ‘O inmates of graves! O inhabitants of ruins! O those who live in isolation in a land of wilderness! Say, how are you? As regards conditions over here, the assets left over have been divided, the offspring are rendered orphans, the widows have entered into new marriage contracts. This is the state of affairs in our world. Now tell us what is happening to you.’

“Ali (radi Allahu anhu) then remained silent for some time. Then turning to Kameel (radi Allahu anhu) said: ‘Kameel, if the inmates of these graves were allowed to speak they would say, ‘Piety is the most valuable treasure.’’ Having said this, Ali (radi Allahu anhu) wept and continued to weep for a long time. He later remarked: ‘Kameel, the grave is an enclosure where only deeds matter and as soon as one meets death he realizes this fact.’” [Etiquettes of Life in Islam by Muhammad Yusuf Islahi]